Crane runway beam is a tri-piece that's riveted? 1

[dlclarkii]

Why would they use this in the early 1900s if a rolled shape was available? This is a short span runway length. What would've been the reason for using a tri girder riveted runway beam>

 

[WesternJeb]

It very well might have just been made from some scrap/excess material from another job, or from the main building itself.

 

[JLNJ]

You see a lot of built-up shapes in those old buildings. I'm not sure why. Maybe rolled shapes were either not available or more expensive than shapes made of plates, angles, and rivets. We take it for granted that a fabricator can find any shape we spec. Back in in the day the choices may have been fewer and farther between.

 

[dik]

Check to see if it's weldable... if you need to attach... I've come across a few that aren't... high sulphur content.

-----*****-----
So strange to see the singularity approaching while the entire planet is rapidly turning into a hellscape. -John Coates

-Dik

 

[SWComposites]

In the early 1900s shipping was much more limited; basically only railroads available. Androlled shape probably were a lot more expensive and less common.